White House Plaques Echo Trump Rhetoric, Label Biden ‘Worst President in History’
White House staff on Wednesday unveiled newly updated plaques along the so-called “Presidential Walk of Fame,” adding lengthy and sharply opinionated descriptions of former presidents that closely mirror the rhetoric of President Donald Trump.
The changes are part of Trump’s broader effort to remake the White House in his own image. New plaques placed beneath presidential portraits lining the colonnade no longer offer neutral historical summaries, instead reflecting Trump’s long-stated personal views about his predecessors.
Former President Joe Biden received the harshest treatment. The plaque beneath his entry calls him “the worst President in American History” and falsely claims he took office following “the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States.”
Former President Barack Obama was also described in starkly negative terms. The White House text labels him “one of the most divisive political figures” and attacks the Affordable Care Act, derisively renaming it the “Unaffordable Care Act” and blaming it for Democratic losses in Congress.
The description of former President Bill Clinton similarly downplays his achievements, crediting his legislative successes to Republicans in Congress. The plaque also boasts that Trump terminated the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was enacted during Clinton’s presidency, and includes a reference to Hillary Clinton’s loss in the 2016 election.
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By contrast, presidents admired by Trump received glowing portrayals. Former President Ronald Reagan was praised as “The Great Communicator,” celebrated for his landslide reelection, and described as a mutual admirer of Trump.
Former President Richard Nixon was credited with “one of the greatest political comebacks in American History” and what the plaque claims was the largest popular vote victory ever, despite historical disputes over that characterization.
The White House also offered praise for former President Gerald Ford, highlighting what it called his “brave Pardon to Richard Nixon” following the Watergate scandal.
The updated plaques are part of a revamped “Wall of Fame” located outside the West Wing, featuring portraits of every president in order of service. Biden is the lone exception — his portrait has been replaced with an image of an autopen, referencing Republican claims that aides relied on the device during his administration.
The move underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to openly use official spaces and symbolism to mock political opponents. From social media posts to White House displays, the administration has made clear it sees little reason to separate governance from political trolling.
